Golden Globe Awards 2021: Hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler Call Out HFPA for Lack of Diversity in Opening Monologue

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the organisation of international journalists who confer the Golden Globe Awards, was marred in controversy after it was found out that the body doesn’t have a single Black member out of 87. HFPA ex-President Meher Tatna told Variety that the board has not had a single Black member in 20 years. This led the #TimesUpGlobes to trend on social media with many actors and filmmakers, including Sterling K Brown, Ava DuVernay, Amy Schumer and many more criticising the organisation.

The latest celebrities to call out the HFPA for their lack of diversity were the hosts of the 2021 Golden Globe Awards 2021, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. In their opening monologue, Amy and Tina poked fun at the board and called them ‘European weirdos.’ Since the live-audience in both New York and Los Angeles, where the Tina and Amy hosted from consisted of first-responders who worked during the pandemic, the host decided to explain what the event was.

Explaining what the HFPA was, Tina said, “The HFPA is made up of around 90 international, no Black, journalists who attend movie junkets each year in search of a better life.” After explaining the TV and movie categories, she said, “Let’s see what these European weirdos nominated this year.”

After poking fun at Sia’s directorial fiasco Music, Amy said, “Everybody is understandably upset with HFPA and their choices. A lot of flashy garbage got nominated, but that happens. That is their thing. But a number of Black actors and Black-led projects were overlooked.”

“Inclusivity is important and there are no black members of the Hollywood Foreign Press… you’ve gotta change that. So here’s to changing it,” Tina said.

Take a look at their opening monologue below:

Actress Kerry Washington took to Twitter to thank the hosts for bringing the issue of non-inclusivity to light. “Thank you Amy Poehler and Tina Fey for bringing the lack of representation in the HFPA to light. Real change must come #GoldenGlobes.”

Meanwhile, after receiving intense backlash for their ignoranc, the HFPA released a statement vowing to hire Black members in the association. “We are fully committed to ensuring our membership is reflective of the communities around the world who love film, TV and the artists inspiring and educating them. We understand that we need to bring in Black members, as well as members from other underrepresented backgrounds, and we will immediately work to implement an action plan to achieve these goals as soon as possible,” the statement read.

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